Two naval officers stand between Stede and Ed - two men who want to kill them and keep Stede from touching Ed again after so many months apart.
They exchange nods before turning away, one heading for Stede and the other for Ed.
Stede pulls his gun from its holster and draws his cutlet. The officer straightens his wig and slides his sword from its sheath. He takes a step towards Stede, weapon pointed at his chest and Stede smiles. A look of confusion darts across the officer's face before it morphs into fear as Stede starts to run. He pelts across the black sand, gun swinging up to point at the officer’s head.
Bang!
The man screams and crumples to the ground. Stede barely spares him a glance as he runs past, boots sinking into blood-soaked sand. He sees Ed up ahead, charging at the other officer who has his sword held high. Stede’s breath stutters as the man slashes downward, aiming for Ed’s shoulder. Ed skids through the sand, bending low and sweeps his sword towards the man, bringing it up in a wicked slash, slicing the man’s thigh. The man howls and Ed drives his shoulder into his stomach, sending him flying into the air before he crashes to the ground. Ed swivels on his heel and brings his sword down fast and hard, cutting off the man’s cries.
He turns to Stede and drops his sword to the ground. Stede stops up, boots digging into the sand. His throat is tight with so much longing he can barely breathe as he takes in Ed’s face. He’s missed him so much. Ed stares at him, seeming unsure whether he should walk towards Stede or turn away. He has every right to hesitate, but it still makes Stede’s heart hammer in his chest. Ed takes a deep breath and starts to move towards Stede, slow at first, but then faster, his strides lengthening, and then he’s running.
Stede drops his weapons and breaks into a run and then suddenly Ed’s there - right in front of him - alive and so beautiful. Stede throws his arms around him, crushing their bodies together. Ed makes a broken sound, face buried in the crook of Stede’s neck. He pulls back just enough to meet Stede’s gaze, and then they're kissing.
It’s a far cry from their first kiss. Ed’s face is rougher, his beard scraping against Stede’s stubble and his lips immediately part, swallowing the noises Stede hadn’t even realised he was making. Ed tastes like tobacco and salt, and Stede needs more of it, needs to taste every word and laugh and shout he’s missed all these months. He presses even closer and deepens the kiss, pouring his love into Ed, giving him everything he’s been carrying so close to his heart for so long.
When they pull apart, Stede sees tears streaming down Ed's cheeks, disappearing into his beard. Stede reaches out and wipes the tears away, fingers lingering on Ed’s cheek.
‘You left,’ Ed finally whispers.
‘I came back,’ Stede replies and kisses him again.
